In field match analysis, the Match transformation analyzes the source data that enters the transformation. You can perform field match analysis on any type of data. In identity match analysis, the Match transformation generates an index of alternative data values from the input data and analyzes the index data. Configure the Match transformation for identity match analysis when the input ports contain identity data. An identity is a group of data values that identifies a person or an organization.

A data set can represent a single identity in different ways. For example, the following data values represent the name John Smith:

The Match transformation reads the identity data in a record and calculates the possible alternative versions of the identity. The transformation creates an index that includes the current versions and alternative versions of the identities. The Match transformation analyzes the index values and not the values in the input records.